Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to any amount, or reverse-calculate the pre-tax price from a total that already includes tax. Enter your local rate and see the tax amount and total instantly. Free, no signup, works on mobile.
How to use this tool
- 1Choose the mode: 'Add tax' to calculate tax on top of a price, or 'Remove tax' to find the pre-tax amount from a total that includes tax.
- 2Enter the amount - either the pre-tax price (add mode) or the tax-inclusive total (remove mode).
- 3Enter the tax rate as a percentage. Look up your local rate if you are unsure - rates vary by state, country, and product type.
- 4Read the three results: pre-tax amount, tax amount, and total including tax.
Formula used
Example
Tax amount is 21.25. Total including tax is 271.25. Enter 250 in add-tax mode with a rate of 8.5.
Switch to remove-tax mode, enter 271.25 and 8.5. Pre-tax amount is 250.00, tax is 21.25. Useful when a receipt shows the total but you need to record the net amount.
Common use cases
- Adding 6% state sales tax to a product price before quoting a customer
- Finding the pre-tax amount from a receipt to record expenses accurately
- Checking the tax portion of a supplier invoice for accounting purposes
- Estimating the total cost of a purchase including local tax before buying
- Calculating tax on a service invoice for a client in a different state
Common mistakes
- Using the wrong mode - if the price you have already includes tax and you want to extract the tax, use 'Remove tax', not 'Add tax'.
- Using a state rate when local tax also applies - many US locations combine state, county, and city rates. Check the combined rate for your exact location.
- Applying tax to a price that already includes it - this double-taxes the amount and overstates the total significantly.
- Using the same rate for all products - some items like groceries or medicines are taxed at reduced rates or are exempt. Verify per item.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add sales tax to a price?
Multiply the price by the tax rate and divide by 100 to get the tax amount, then add it to the price. For example, 8% tax on 250 is 20, giving a total of 270. The calculator does this automatically in 'Add tax' mode.
How do I find the price before tax from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. For 8% tax, divide by 1.08. A 270 total gives a pre-tax amount of 250. Use 'Remove tax' mode and the calculator handles this automatically.
Does this find my local tax rate automatically?
No. You enter the rate yourself. Sales tax rates vary widely by country, state, county, and city. In the US, the combined rate can range from 0% to over 10% depending on location. Check your local revenue authority for the correct rate.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?
They are similar but structured differently. Sales tax is collected only at the point of final sale to the consumer. VAT is collected at every stage of the supply chain but businesses can reclaim what they paid on inputs. Use the VAT Calculator for VAT-specific calculations.
Are all products subject to the same tax rate?
No. Many jurisdictions have reduced rates or exemptions for necessities like groceries, prescription medicines, or children's clothing. Always verify which rate applies to your specific product or service.
How do I calculate tax on a quote or invoice?
Calculate the subtotal of all line items first, then add tax as a single line. Enter the subtotal here, enter your rate, and use the tax amount as the tax line on your invoice. The Invoice Generator on this site handles this automatically.
Is this result accurate for tax filing?
The math is exact for the rate you enter, but always verify your rate with the relevant tax authority before filing. Different products, customer types, and locations can affect the correct rate to apply.
Related tools
Last updated